EuroFlow EF and EF/B
Biological Safety Cabinet
UM-EFAB-EN10.doc
68
Appendix III: Replacement of the HEPA filters
Under normal circumstances, the life span of a HEPA filter comprises several years. However, it
will become clogged up gradually, until there is no longer a proper flow-through and the filter has
to be replaced.
Replace both the downflow filter and the exhaust filter at the same time. This needs to be done
since the total amount of air in the cabinet is based on filter proportion.
In cabinets of the EF/B-series the first HEPA filters will be clogged up faster than the downstream
positioned downflow and exhaust HEPA filters.
BIOLOGICAL DANGER
BE CAREFUL!!
Before starting service with the cabinet a written declaration “that the
cabinet is decontaminated” must be present. The responsible person
(laboratory supervisor) will decide if the cabinet has to be decontaminated so
that when servicing the installation and the HEPA-filters there is no danger
for the service engineer, labour personnel, the laboratory and the
surroundings of the cabinet. If necessary disinfect the installation. For more
information
Appendix II: Disinfection on page 67
.
CYTOTOXIC DANGER
When cytotoxics are used, see
§2.5 Cytotoxic danger (EF/B only) on page
10.
Only the responsible safety officer (biological safety officer or the responsible
examiner) can decide if this procedure is valid or not. Additional standard
operation procedures can be necessary.
The valid procedures for the disposal of possible contaminated material must always be followed.
When the service engineer thinks this is not enough this will be discussed with the responsible
person so that enough precautions can be made.
Clean Air Techniek B.V. strongly recommends specially trained technicians to carry out filter
exchange. Certified service organizations are recommended. At all times keep to the service and
maintenance procedures from Clean Air Techniek B.V.
1.
When does a HEPA filter need to be replaced?
Under normal circumstances the serviceable life time of a HEPA filter is several years (mostly
between 5 and 10 years). The filter should be replaced whenever the air velocity and/or the filter
Integrity are no longer in compliance with the EN-12469:2000. The cabinet has a microprocessor
that is automatically regulating the fan speed to compensate for main power fluctuations and filter
pollution.
Downflow HEPA filter
The HEPA filter needs to be replaced when the HEPA filter integrity is not within specifications
and/or when it is not possible to adjust the air velocity according the specifications.
For the downflow HEPA filter the following applies:
•
The downflow velocity of the cabinet must have an average air velocity of 0,36 +/- 0,02 m/s,
measured at 10 cm above the bottom edge of the sliding window (in work position). None of
